Jun. 25, 2013 - 06:00AM
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Gen. Robert Kehler (Air Force)

President Obama has nominated a Navy flag officer to be the next head of U.S. Strategic Command, which is currently commanded by an Air Force general.

Gen. Robert Kehler has served as STRATCOMís commander since January 2011. Adm. Cecil D. Haney has been nominated as his replacement.

STRATCOM could not say Tuesday whether Kehler, who was commissioned in 1975, would retire after the transition. It has not yet been decided when the change in command would take place.

ďThe nomination is just the first step in the confirmation process and since the confirmation hasnít taken place itís premature to discuss further details,Ē said STRATCOM spokeswoman Ashley Henry.

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Kehler has been a full general since October 2007. Prior to coming to STRATCOM, he was head of Space Command from October 2007 until January 2011. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit.

A total of three Air Force generals are in charge of combatant commands: Kehler; William Fraser III, head of U.S. Transportation Command; and Philp Breedlove, who recently became head of U.S. European Command.